Helsinn, the Swiss Group focused on building quality cancer care products and Purdue Pharma Canada, a research-based pharmaceutical company, have signed an exclusive agreement for the distribution and licensing of Akynzeo, the oral fixed combination of netupitant and palonosetron developed for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

Under the terms of the agreement, Helsinn retains clinical development activities and the manufacturing and supply of Akynzeo. Purdue Pharma Canada will have exclusive rights to registration, marketing, promotion, distribution and sales of Akynzeo in Canada. Akynzeo is already approved in the US, the EU, Switzerland, Israel, and Australia.

Akynzeo has been recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) antiemetic guidelines, both in highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC). The American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) validated Akynzeo as an additional therapy that will facilitate the application of standard of care for patients receiving HEC regimens by preventing nausea and vomiting in both the acute and delayed phases of emesis. In addition, Akynzeo is included in the MASCC/ESMO Guidelines for patients receiving HEC and carboplatin based chemotherapy.

Riccardo Braglia, Helsinn Group vice chairman and CEO, commented,“We are delighted to be working with Purdue Pharma Canada to make Akynzeo available in Canada, subject to regulatory approval. Helsinn seeks to improve the lives of people with cancer everywhere, by making the highest quality products available where they are needed. Akynzeo has been well received by a number of respected cancer organisations who have recommended its use as part of standard of care regimens for the treatment of CINV.”

Dr. Craig Landau, president and CEO, Purdue Pharma Canada added, “Subject to product approval by Health Canada, this agreement will enable us to provide Canadians with an important and novel treatment in oncology supportive care which can mitigate the distressing side effects of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting” said Dr. Craig Landau, president and CEO of Purdue Pharma Canada. “Further, this agreement supports Purdue Pharma Canada’s goal to diversify our existing portfolio in cancer supportive care, an obvious adjacency to our existing analgesic business, further strengthening our growth plans in Canada.”